The BC Day long weekend saw 59 new fires start in the Prince George Fire Centre, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
“Most of those new starts in PGFC are from that thunderstorm activity that we saw last week,” said Fire Information Officer Jeromy Corrigan.
“Currently there are 67 fires total in the Prince George Fire Centre, and a lot of the new starts that we are seeing from the long weekend and that system of thunderstorm activity coming into the region, a lot of the new starts are primarily in the VanJam zone.”
The Dorman Lake wildfire, roughly 20 kilometres southeast of Fraser Lake, prompted an evacuation order and an alert Monday from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
“Currently the fire is displaying rank two and rank three fire behaviour,” Corrigan said.
“There are ground crews working on scene of the fire, being supported by heavy equipment and aviation resources.”
The fire is estimated to be 319 hectares, and is suspected to be caused by lightning.
Corrigan noted the smoke from the fire will be visible to residents of Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof and the surrounding area.
Corrigan added conditions over the next 48 hours are shaping up to be favourable for crews working in the centre.
“Especially in the VanJam area, today (Tuesday) we’re seeing cloudy conditions, there’s going to be a possibility of some showers throughout the west,” he said.
“Some of the fires have received some rain as well this morning, and we might see some this afternoon, and that’s going to really help with fire behaviour.”
Corrigan added cooler temperatures with some showers are expected tomorrow as well.
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